Mr Smith, who is a builder himself, does not hold the developers responsible for the incident. “I don’t have a problem with the builders or developers. They are doing their job and they’re doing it well,” he said.

Instead he points the finger of blame at Hackney Council for approving the excavation in the first place.

“It’s a total nightmare. We are facing continuing stress and shock due to the upheaval and repairs. This is something that the council’s planning department has to take on board.”